Five Points and Two Wins in Trip Home, Gigi Marvin is VEDA Player of the Week

By Jane Norton, 12/03/18, 3:00PM EST

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“Dynamic, incredible, leading by example…Gigi’s just awesome.”

That was the text on Sunday night from Boston Pride head coach Paul Mara when asked to describe Gigi Marvin, the VEDA NWHL Player of the Week.

Those Gs in her first name stood for Goals this weekend, as the Pride went to Saint Paul and soundly defeated the previously-unbeaten Whitecaps in a pair of games – 5-1 on Saturday and 7-2 on Sunday before sold-out crowds at TRIA Rink.

Any number of Pride players would be deserving of VEDA Player of the Week honors – Haley Skarupa, Katie Burt, Denisa Krizova, Mallory Souliotis, McKenna Brand, among them. And a special shout-out to Connecticut Whale goaltender Meeri Raisanen, who celebrated her birthday on Sunday before a sold-out crowd in Pittsburgh with a shutout of the Riveters.

But in the end, it was the three goals, two assists and impeccable leadership of Marvin, the pride of Warroad, Minnesota, that earned the nod for VEDA Player of the Week.

“It’s an honor any time you’re chosen as the Player of the Week, but it’s really a reflection of your teammates,” said Marvin. “I’m not out there by myself, that’s for sure. It speaks volumes for the Boston Pride.”

Marvin scored two goals against the Whitecaps on Saturday, and the first goal of the game plus two assists in the victory on Sunday as Boston improved to 5-2 on the season.

“It all comes down to our team,” she said. “We played awesome. Our goaltending was outstanding, and I thought every single line contributed. If you look at our stat sheet, it seemed like everyone contributed, and it was really fun.”

One of the most accomplished and respected players in the history of the game in the United States, Marvin has represented the U.S. at three Olympics, winning gold in 2018 and silver in 2010 and 2014. She has also played for the U.S. National Team at seven IIHF World Championships (winning gold five times), and eight Four Nations Cups (winning four times).

In a storied career at the University of Minnesota, Marvin was a top-10 finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award in 2008 and 2009. Prior to college, Marvin played four years at Warroad High School and, in 2005, she was the recipient of the Let’s Play Hockey Ms. Hockey Award. Playing before family and friends at TRIA Rink in her home state of Minnesota meant the world to her.

“The crowd was insane,” said Marvin, who in 2015-16 with the Pride was a member of the first team to win the Isobel Cup. “I’m from Minnesota, so I had a ton of family and friends in the stands. Even when we scored, there was an eruption. That was pretty special. I had a blast being back at home in the State of Hockey and competing in front of so many people I know so well and love. I even know a ton on the Whitecaps. I played on the Whitecaps before in 2010 after my first Olympics, so it was really special for me. I was waiting the whole year for these games.”

Stay tuned each Monday for the announcement of the VEDA NWHL Player of the Week.